Thursday, June 25, 2015

Khaleesi, Mother of . . . One Very Large Chick


Justin and Claui's chickens are free range these days and when the lone bantam hen went missing, they assumed the worst. Things happen to chickens, as my grandfather told me when I asked him about the normal lifespan of a chicken. And we have foxes, coyotes, blacksnakes, and hawks all around,  ready for a chicken dinner.


Imagine their surprise when , after weeks, the little banty showed up, trailed by one outsize chick. Whether the chick is her own -- thanks to Justin's regular sized rooster -- or from an egg one of the other hens laid in her hidden nest, there couldn't  be a  prouder mama.


She was nameless until this happy event  but now Justin is calling her Khaleesi, for the <other of Dragons in Game of Thrones.


We are hopeful that she'll continue to outwit the predators . . .


Khaleesi is staying close to the barn where she had her nest, accepting daily offerings of chicken food . . .


And she is staying vigilant.


9 comments:

Ms. A said...

Awwww, how cute! That is one big chick. Does that mean it's just half grown, or is it really young and huge?

Chris said...

Goodness! That chick is almost as big as she is! Too cute.

Vicki Lane said...

It's a normal sized chick about a week old with a tiny mama.

Barbara Rogers said...

What a cheerful story to start my day. Many thanks!

Jean Baardsen said...

Such a cute kid! Really enjoyed the pictures.

L. D. said...

That is such a neat story. As a kid on the farm we had banty hens hatch out many chicks at a time. They were so neat to see those little ones following the hen all over the farm.

katy gilmore said...

Khaleesi - how perfect is that! May she be as protective and strong (she's already demonstrated that!) and wily!

Tammy said...

How fun! Good luck little hen--I love how she is so clearly devoted to her little monster chick. I would love to have a few banties again but don't think it a good idea with all the kitty hunters.

Tammy

Darla said...

Love this!